Author: Warin

Remembering Lee Thompson Young

Posted on by in 1998, Akeelah and the B, Disney, Friday Night Lights, Lee Thompson Young, Rizzoli and Isles, The Famous Jett Jackson, TNT.

It was very sad to hear about the passing of former Disney star Lee Thompson Young earlier this week.

According to multiple news sources, Young took his own life this past Monday. Some have speculated that he may have been suffering from depression.

Most will probably remember Lee Thompson Young from his time as the star of the Disney Channel show, “The Famous Jett Jackson.” The show aired from 1998-2001 and was actually a show-within-a-show. The concept was framed around Jett Jackson playing the action hero ‘Silvertone,’ while also adjusting to growing up as a teenager in the fictional town of Wilstead, North Carolina.

I remember watching “The Famous Jett Jackson” more than a decade ago and generally enjoyed it. We saw things from Jett Jackson’s perspective and the interactions he had with his friends, family, and the crew for the ‘Silverstone’ show. I thought Lee Thompson Young did a very good job as the lead, considering the fact he was actually playing two characters each episode.

Following the end of “The Famous Jett Jackson,” Young went on to play roles in 2004 film “Friday Night Lights,” and “Akeelah and the B” in 2006. At the time of his death, he was working on the TNT drama “Rizzoli and Isles.”

R.I.P. Lee Thompson Young.

If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Thoughts on Fruitvale Station

Posted on by in 42, California, Film, Fruitvale Station, Michael B. Jordan, Oakland, Octavia Spencer, Oscar Grant, Ryan Coogler.

After a month delay and several months of being intrigued by the premise of the film, I finally saw “Fruitvale Station” last week. It left me feeling a number of emotions upon exiting the theater.

“Fruitvale Station” is the story of Oscar Grant and the 24 hours leading up to his death at the Fruitvale subway stop in Oakland, California, on New Year’s Day 2009. But it’s really so much more than that. It’s a story that truly does explore the human condition through Oscar’s eyes and makes the viewer see a troubled man who was trying to turn his life around.

What makes “Fruitvale Station” different than most movies is that you have some idea going in how the story will end. Anyone who has heard about the film or done any research on the case, knows ultimately that Oscar Grant will be killed. Similar much in the same way as a movie like “Titanic,” where (spoiler alert) the ship sinks, with a film like “Fruitvale Station” character development becomes all the more crucial when the audience knows the final result.

Michael B. Jordan gives an excellent performance as Oscar Grant. Through him, we see more of a 360 degree portrayal of Grant. By that I mean director Ryan Coogler is careful not to paint Grant as some figure headed for sainthood before death. Too often in dramas about people’s lives, we see heavy handed attempts to portray the protagonist in the most positive light possible with little to no faults. In essence the main character becomes reduced to little more than a cardboard cutout of virtue, instead of a fleshed out human being with emotional, physical, mental, or spiritual obstacles to conquer. This is exactly the criticism I leveled at the film “42”; I was glad to see “Fruitvale Station” didn’t follow that same script.

Over the course of the film we see Oscar not take his prospects of getting a job seriously. We see a man at times quick to anger, but even quicker to flash his smile at someone. We see a person learning to accept the responsibility of fatherhood while trying to become a more supportive partner to his girlfriend. We also witness the interactions he has with his mother (great job by Octavia Spencer) and the initial guilt she feels immediately after his death.

“Fruitvale Station” on its surface is a movie about a shooting, but really it’s a movie about the relationships between Oscar Grant and those around him. Through his friends and family we see him as a person bending in the direction of slowly, but steadily, improving his life. I would strongly recommend anyone who hasn’t yet seen it, to make an effort to watch it while it’s still in theaters. It may leave you teary eyed at points, but chances are, you’ll be better for the experience.

Ebony Commemorates Trayvon Martin

Posted on by in Boris Kodjoe, Dwyane Wade, Trayvon Martin.

With the Trayvon Martin verdict still fresh in the minds of many, Ebony Magazine released four covers showing the unity and concern expressed in the We Are Trayvon movement. The covers feature well known black celebrities like Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, Boris Kodjoe and Spike Lee from the entertainment world, and Trayvon’s parents along with his surviving brother. Ebony Magazine Editor-In-Chief, Amy DuBois Barnett, recently spoke to the HuffingtonPost on why Ebony chose the covers they did.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs Makes History

Posted on by in Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Film, Hollywood, media, The Academy, The Oscars.

Last month Cheryl Boone Isaacs made history by becoming the first black president of the The Academy. Yes, the same Academy who votes on Oscar winners every year.

Considering the dearth of diversity in Hollywood and the lack of recognition black actors and actresses have received in regards to Oscar recognition, this news is significant indeed. Boone Isaacs has been working in the entertainment industry for a number of years now and has certainly paid her dues. Kudos to her. For more info about Cheryl Boone Isaacs you can check out this Entertianment Weekly article.

He’s Gotta Have It: Spike Lee, Kickstarter and An Emerging New Trend

Posted on by in 25th Hour, Crowd Funding, Denzel Washington, Do the Right Thing., Inside Man, Malcolm X, NYU, School Daze, Shes gotta have it, Spike Lee, Tisch School of the Arts, Universal Pictures, Veronica Mars.

It seems Kickstarter is quickly becoming the SOS of many a filmmaker in 2013.

A few weeks ago Spike Lee was the latest filmmaker to enter the fray as he announced he was raising money to fund his current project, a vampire themed flick that he so far has been hesitant to go into much detail about. Spike isn’t the first well known member of the film community to make his pitch for funds on Kickstarter, but the latest in what is an interesting trend.

Earlier this year it came out that Kristen Bell had made a pitch on Kickstarter for a Veronica Mars movie. She ended up raising $5 million. What was most interesting to me at least is that the Veronica Mars movie is being backed by Warner Brothers, who are one of the major players in Hollywood. Ultimately this begs the question of why go to a site like Kickstarter for funding if a major studio is going to be backing the project anyway? Zach Braff (from NBC “Scrubs” fame) also took to Kickstarter and raised more than $3 million for his own project.

I’m assuming Spike Lee heard about the success of these two projects and decided that it was time to throw his hat in the ring. Spike Lee is a very decorated director and his work has often made me think about cinema, specifically as it relates to people of color. “Do The Right Thing” is a classic in my book. “School Daze” was informative and “Malcolm X” was not only educational, but illuminating. “He Got Game” and “25th Hour” with Ed Norton, are also among my favorites.

With each passing project, Spike Lee gained more fame, and with it, a larger access to studio funds. That’s not to suggest that the studios are all the sudden welcoming him with open arms, but he’s no longer the outsider he once was when he filmed “She’s Gotta Have It” in 1985. For example, the 2006 thriller “Inside Man,” with Denzel Washington, was backed by Universal Pictures.

So this all brings us back to Spike’s latest film. He has yet to give it a name and when asked what it’s about, he states it involves blood, vampires and lots of naked people. Sounds like either a summertime horror film or a weekend in Vegas gone terribly wrong. What’s troubling though is that not only does he not go into much detail about the film, but he expects people to donate based on his previous work. While I did mention a number of Spike’s films I’m a fan of, I won’t exactly be waving a towel for “She Hate Me” or “Girl 6.”

Yes, Spike is still hustling to get his movies made, but he also has access to far more capital than many of the filmmakers who hitch their financial wagons to Kickstarter do. This is a man with an estimated wealth of nearly $40 million. It also should be noted that Spike has been teaching at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, one of the most prestigious film programs in the country (along with one of the most expensive) since 2002. So I must ask why exactly does a man with his previous film credits, along with teaching at one of the country’s most renown film schools, need my money to finance one of his projects?

I have much respect for Spike Lee. I just think in this instance, he’s reachin’ to ask people to donate to a project they barely know anything about. Yes, he’s agreed to take a person out to sit courtside with him at a Knicks game if they donate $10,000 (which is an interesting case when you realize your donating to a man who can afford to pay for his own courtside seats) and that he has other goodies in store for people who give, depending upon the amount. That’s all well and good, but what happens if this movie is a smashing success? Will any of these people see any of the profits? What about if they have a project and need help with funding? Will Spike lend his name on Kickstarter to help their projects? Granted, this isn’t to attack Spike, but you have to wonder if the studios will begin to ask for producers/directors to raise a certain % of a movie’s budget through crowd-funding before they put their weight behind it. Things to think about…

So A Panhandler Walks Onto The Subway…

Posted on by in College Humor, New York City, Panhandler, Prank, Subway.

If you live or work in New York City, you know the deal. Without fail, as soon as you walk through the subway doors to take your seat, you’ll inevitably hear a plea from somebody who needs your money. Just in my own experiences, I’ve seen people get rather creative in asking for your cash. Occasionally a group of kids will dance, some will sing, and there will always be somebody who needs money for their basketball team. Well, here we have a guy who looks as if he may be asking for money initially, but instead it’s the passengers who are caught off guard.

http://www.collegehumor.com/e/6902837

Remembering a Literary Giant

Posted on by in 89, Books, Civil Rights, Harlem, Literature, Poems, The Price of the Ticket.

James Baldwin is remembered not only as a literary giant, but a man whose words helped advance the cause for social justice within the United States. Baldwin — who would’ve been 89 this past Friday — was remembered by a number of people for being one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. His literature continues to live on however, and his life, memory, and influence, will not soon be forgotten.

Looking Back at "To Sir, With Love 2"

Posted on by in 1996, Chicago, Education, London, Sidney Poitier, Students, Teacher, To Sir With Love, To Sir With Love II.

When I think back to some of the more inspiring and intriguing movies that I’ve seen these last 10-15 years, they’ve all left me wondering to some degree. It could be about the characters, plot development, scene structure, or any other particular overarching themes. “To Sir, With Love 2” left me thinking about not only the importance of teaching, but the type of person depicted to lead a classroom.

“To Sir, With Love 2” was a former Movie of the Month of mine back in July 2003. It stars one of the legendary names in Hollywood cinema, one Sidney Poitier. Poitier was also the star of the original “To Sir, With Love,” which took place in an inner-city London school in the mid-1960s. While the first “To Sir, With Love” was released in 1967, the sequel would not come out until 1996. I can’t recall another series of movies where the sequel came out nearly 30 years following the original. 

Unlike Joe Clark in “Lean on Me,” or the motorcycle riding take-no-prisoners Rick Latimer in the 1987 movie “The Principle,” Poitier’s character is far more reserved and tactful. It seems surprising at first that a man who just retired from 30 years of teaching in England, would welcome the duty of educating the toughest students in a nondescript Chicago public school. However, Poitier’s character, Mark Thackeray, does just that.
Thackeray challenges his students to not only think about what makes them who they are, but also consider that they ultimately determine other people’s perceptions about themselves. Now that’s not to say there aren’t some real problems his students are facing, but Thackeray refuses to allow them to use outside influences as an excuse. The entire movie is actually on Youtube and I’ve included some of the more poignant clips below.